When ITVantix confirmed the ExecuSoft Controls acquisition, ChannelE2E pursued more details about the two Georgia-area managed IT services providers (MSPs), and their newly combined business.
In response, ITVantix CEO Jerry Bryan kindly answered our questions over email. Here's a sampling of the back-and-forth -- including key drivers for the deal, near-term priorities, and ITVantix's efforts to differentiate across managed IT, voice and security services.
ChannelE2E: When did ITVantix & ExecuSoft begin deal discussions?
Bryan: We began discussions in September 2017.
ChannelE2E: What originally prompted the discussions?
Bryan: We were looking for an acquisition opportunity in/around Atlanta, Georgia. Our customer base has expanded geographically to include some customers in the Atlanta area, and it made sense to either open a location in Atlanta or acquire a similar service provider with an existing client base.
ChannelE2E: Is this ITVantix's first acquisition?
Bryan: This is the first acquisition for ITVantix.
ChannelE2E: Are more deals planned?
Bryan: Growth through acquisition is an appealing option.
ChannelE2E: Can you share some headcount figures, pre- and post-deal?
Bryan: ITVantix had 10 employees and ExecuSoft had three employees. The initial combined headcount will be 12 and we expect to have a headcount of 14 by the end of 2018.
ChannelE2E: What are your top priorities related to the deal for the next few months?
Bryan: Our top priorities will be transitioning ExecuSoft customers and developing awareness of the ITVantix brand, as well as, the many products & services we offer as a MSP. Another priority will be centralizing our customer help desk and administrative operations.
ChannelE2E: Are you integrating/migrating any back-end platforms (PSA, RMM, BDR, Security, etc.)?
Bryan: ITVantix uses Connectwise Manage and ExecuSoft currently uses Autotask; we will be migrating Autotask data into Connectwise. Both companies use SolarWinds MSP RMM and Datto for BDR, so we plan to transition customers into a single instance on each platform. Where security is concerned, customers of both companies use varying antivirus and firewall products & services. Cloud Services such as Microsoft's Azure and Office 365, Dropbox for Business, etc., will be migrated to a single management interface. Over the last year, we've worked to streamline our Security product & service offerings and we plan to work with ExecuSoft's customers to migrate them to our preferred solution stack; what we think of as the basis of the ITVantix "Secret Sauce."
ChannelE2E: Is Georgia your core focus or might you push beyond the state?
Bryan: Georgia markets are currently our core focus; however, we do currently sell our products & services to customers outside of Georgia.
ChannelE2E: Anything else that ChannelE2E readers should know?
Bryan: ITVantix is more than a typical MSP. We recognize the parallels that exist between Information Technology, Telecom and Security and operate as a single company with three primary divisions: IT, Voice and Security. Having a single technology partner as your MSP, ITSP and MSSP offers many unique advantages to our customers. We are able to more effectively resolve issues and reduce the downtime customers typically experience while having to coordinate multiple 3rd party efforts. As an IT Managed Service Provider, we are concerned with Information Security and our Security division focuses on the physical security aspect. With IoT and ongoing technology convergence, we feel our customers will benefit from these sort of synergies.
